A story is told of a local village that experienced a drought. The leaders thought of a prayer brigade to ask God for rain. They held it outside the town hall, in open air, so “God can hear our voices loudly and directly.” The village folk arrived on the agreed day and time. They formed a prayer circle and were ready to pray.  Then a woman came with her young daughter, carrying a huge umbrella. His neighbors asked her, “Why are you bringing an umbrella in the middle of a drought?”

She replied, “Aren’t we praying for rain? I came prepared.”Jesus didn’t do miracles in his hometown because of their unbelief. He did not blame them. He simply stated the obvious: faith allows miracles to happen.

God’s power is sometimes diminished in our disbelief. Not that He is less powerful, but because our faith ushers in God’s power. Our faith is a key that unlocks His miracles. We need to open our hearts and trust. Because faith is not just believing. It is also preparing yourself for God’s miracles that are coming. 

Boggs Burbos (boggsburbos@yahoo.com)

reflect

Are you praying for a miracle? Do you have faith? What preparations have you made to receive your coming miracle?

Lord, strengthen my faith as I wait for Your miracles.

St. Ignatius of Loyola, priest, pray for us.

First Reading | Jeremiah 26:1-9 

The saints mirror the prophets of ancient times, facing trials yet remaining steadfast in their calling. Saint Ignatius endured great hardship at the hands of the Church, firmly believing he was following God’s will. Though he humbly submitted to authority, his resolve never wavered. From his perseverance emerged a powerful force of faith and evangelization—the Jesuits—who have continued their mission of service to the Church across generations.

¹ In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, king of Judah, this message came from the Lord. ² Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the house of the Lord: and speak to the people of all the cities of Judah who come to worship in the house of the Lord; whatever I command you, tell them, and omit nothing. ³ Perhaps they will listen and turn back, each from his evil way, so that I may repent of the evil I have planned to inflict upon them for their evil deeds. ⁴ Say to them: Thus says the Lord: If you disobey me, not living according to the law I placed before you ⁵ and not listening to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I send you constantly though you do not obey them, ⁶ I will treat this house like Shiloh, and make this the city which all the nations of the earth shall refer to when cursing another. ⁷ Now the priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the Lord. ⁸ When Jeremiah finished speaking all that the Lord bade him speak to all the people, the priests and prophets laid hold of him, crying, “You must be put to death! ⁹ Why do you prophesy in the name of the Lord: ‘This house shall be like Shiloh,’ and ‘This city shall be desolate and deserted’?” And all the people gathered about Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.  

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 69:5, 8-10, 14

R: Lord, in your great love, answer me.

⁵ Those outnumber the hairs of my head who hate me without cause. Too many for my strength are they who wrongfully are my enemies. Must I restore what I did not steal? (R) ⁸ Since for your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. ⁹ I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my mother’s sons, 10 because zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me. (R) ¹⁴ But I pray to you, O Lord, for the time of your favor, O God! In your great kindness answer me with your constant help. (R)    

Gospel | Matthew 13:54-58 

Even Jesus faced challenges in leading those closest to Him toward true conversion. Those who have known us the longest often struggle to accept the changes within us, holding onto past versions of who we once were. May we pray for the grace that the Gospel's message bears fruit—not only in us but in those we long to see renewed.

Gospel Acclamation

The word of the Lord remains forever; this is the word that has been proclaimed to you.

⁵⁴ Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? ⁵⁵ Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? ⁵⁶ Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” ⁵⁷ And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” ⁵⁸ And he did not work any mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

Reflect

Who was the first person you shared your conversion story with? What was his/her reaction?

Read the Bible in one year! Read 1 MACCABEES 1 - 2 today.

Canonization

Who is the twice-canonized saint? Answer: St. Ignatius of Loyola. This is intended to be a joke, but the truth is, he was canonized twice. The first happened in the city of Pamplona, Spain, when Ignatius was fighting against the French army. On May 20, 1520, his right leg was hit by a cannonball, causing him to be injured. This event in his life became a turning point. While recuperating, he asked for books to read. He was given the Life of Christ and biographies of the saints, which led to his conversion. This event changed his direction from being a worldly soldier to becoming a faithful knight of Christ. This was his first “canonization.” The second happened on March 12, 1622, when Pope Gregory XV proclaimed him, along with Francis Xavier, Philip Neri, Teresa of Avila, and Isidro Labrador, as saints.

In today’s Gospel, Saint Matthew narrates how the townmates of Jesus treated Him. They took offense at Him because they knew Him, His parents, and many things about Him. Indeed, familiarity breeds contempt. Because they knew “many” things, they neglected to see the most important. This was similar to the life of Ignatius. At first, he thought he already had fulfillment because of his worldly honors. However, God redirected his ways through the “canonization” at the Battle of Pamplona. This led him to discover the most essential thing in life: God.

We may know many things. But we may ask ourselves: Do I know God? Suppose we discover that our knowledge of God is still superficial. In that case, we can ask Him to canonize us and redirect our ways, as Saint Ignatius experienced, so we may also reach sanctity. 

Fr. Eugene Fadul 

reflection question

What has been your turning point in life—that is, when did you decide to follow Christ?

Redirect my path, Lord, whenever I may lose my way. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _____________________________________